the labours of the loom and the workshop by cultivating their powers, and who have risen to daze the world with the splendour of their intellectual achievements and discoveries. In most cases those who are possessed of talents find some mode of cultivating them. The pent up feelings of their heart break forth into action. Such is also the case with others who are not so highly gifted. There is a pleasure in the pursuit of literature and the acquirement of knowledge, which becomes more lasting and joyous the more it is experienced. This love of knowledge has induced many to combine for the formation of societies, in which the greatest benefits may be acquired at very trifling cost. But in almost all these there is to be noticed an absence of those sound elements, which are necessary to the formation of a real, solid character. There is no recognition of the overwhelming importance of religion. In some cases it is a mere accidence, and in others it is scouted altogether. In fact, by far the greater portion of these literary institutions are of an infidel character, and cast faith prostrate before the altar of reason. And yet those of our congregations who are desirous of drinking deeper of the fountain of knowledge, are necessitated to join these institutions, and are exposed to all the evils that flow therefrom. We cannot restrain the desires, nor check their yearnings; what we are bound to do is to meet them, and give opportunities for their development. Feeling that all education not based upon the good foundation of religious truth, and the acknowledgment of our washing in the laver of regeneration, will be productive of incalculable mischief: convinced that nothing but such an education can make good and loyal subjects, every Churchman, every Priest, and layman, should take active measures to provide an institution in all parishes, in which they might find everything they could wish. Such an institution should be of an educational character in the strict sense of the word, with a library containing every variety of instructive, amusing, and edifying works. In general matters we would imitate those that have worked well for many years: we would have classes in which those who wished it might learn languages, engineering, and other useful branches of study. There should be lectures on history, biography, ecclesiastical music, &c., and the subscription should be so moderate as to throw the advantages open to as many as possible. There has been an institution of this kind in full operation for some time in Leeds. It was amongst the earliest efforts of the indefatigable Vicar, the Rev. Dr. Hook, and in the success that has crowned his labours he has his reward. This may be all very well, it may be said, in a large parish, but how can it be done in a small one? Here again we appeal to experience. A few miles from Enfield there is a manufactory of small arms, in which something like two hundred hands are employed. During the last year the Rev. W. B. Flower

formed a Church institution at this place. The lectures which he gave on various subjects were well attended; there are four hundred or more volumes in the library, and a hundred and fifty or a hundred and sixty members. Here then we have proof of the applicability of the plan either in large or small parishes.

We should like much to see some institutions of this character raised in London and other large towns. A combination of the Clergy would provide a staff of lecturers, and a proof would be given that the Church is desirous of extending her sphere of action, and developing herself so as to meet the wishes and requirements of the people.

MORNING HYMN.

ONCE more, O LORD, Thy light is poured o'er all th' awakening world,
Night has, with footsteps westward bent, her restful curtain furl'd;
How many praises to my lips returning day should bring,
Countless as particles of light, the blessings I would sing-

I praise Thee for that peaceful sleep which soothed my aching frame,
When wearied out with life's turmoil,

Its ceaseless round of care and toil,

I for rest, strength, and calm, to Thee, my FATHER, came.

O grateful sleep, thou emblem true of that long blissful rest,
Which, when life's working-day is o'er, waits for the grief-oppressed,
And wraps the worn but faithful soul in calm and still embrace,
Hiding her safely where no storm can near her resting place-
O SAVIOUR! welcome is the sleep that marks each night's repose;
As calm and safe from worldly din,

But O, through Thee, more pure from sin

Be the deep slumber, holy rest, succeeding life's last close.

O LORD, I praise Thee for the day returning in its might,
Shedding around with steady gleam its all pervading light:
I praise Thee for the quicken'd glow I feel in every vein,

Praise Thee for limbs with strength renew'd, for clear unclouded brain.
I would that with more able voice I could Thy praises tell-
Yet while the day is young in heaven,

For all these gifts Thy hand hath given,

FATHER, I thank Thee, and implore Thy grace to use them well.

O welcome day! O holy morn! true type of that blest morrow,
When the awak'ning saints shall rise to light undimmed by sorrow,
That day that knows no twilight hour, no cloud, no parting sun,
Time, death, and weariness all past-Eternity begun,—

O HOLY SPIRIT, for Thy grace to spend each hour, I pray ;
So when life's evening sleep is past,

I may, with joy that aye shall last,

Wake, in my SAVIOUR'S sinless robes, to pure and perfect day.

F. T.

NOONDAY HYMN.

THE summer sun pours forth his golden radiance clear,
No whisp'ring breeze doth stir the leafy bower;-
To cool the thirsty earth no welcome clouds appear
With promise soon of soft refreshing shower.

It is the noonday hour, and I would rest awhile,
To still and cheer my weak and weary heart,

That longs, though cumber'd sore with earthly care and toil,
To be alone, from all the world apart.

Calm and unmov'd I strive my daily course to steer

'Midst this false world, nor court her treach'rous smiles;
But often feebly strive, for when temptation's near
With fair deceit, she oft my willing heart beguiles.

O Thou Who erst at noon by Jacob's well didst rest
Thy weary limbs, beneath the scorching ray,
O hear the prayer to Thee, in trembling faith address'd,
And give me strength to serve Thee day by day.

My spirit pants for Thee-pure soul-refreshing stream-
Of which who drinks he ne'er shall thirst again :
Then give me, LORD, to drink: O not unworthy deem
Thy wand'ring child, nor let me seek in vain.

O feed me with Thyself, Thou heavenly living bread,
O strengthen now my feeble weary heart;

Then earthly cares and ills I will no longer dread,
If, SAVIOUR, Thou Thy gracious aid impart.

Then shall my soul, refresh'd with strength divine, arise,
With patient hope still run the heavenly race;

Till won the long-sought goal, and gained the promis'd prize,
She find in heaven her peaceful resting-place.

C. M. T.

THE LIFE OF ALCUIN.

(Concluded from p. 306.)

In the year 800, Alcuin was invited by Charlemagne to accompany him to Rome, on which occasion Pope Leo III. placed on his head the imperial crown; but Alcuin, who was sensible of the infirmities of advancing age, begged that he might be permitted to end his pilgrimage in retirement. On which Charlemagne replied, "For shame, that you should like better to stay under the smoky roofs of Tours, than to be entertained in the gilded palaces of Rome.'

The last years of Alcuin's life, like those of the Venerable Bede, were passed in the study of that volume which is above all human learning, as we learn from a letter which he addressed to Charlemagne in 801, when he sent him a copy of the whole Bible, care

fully corrected by himself throughout. “I have for a long time been studying," he says, "what present I could offer you, not unworthy of the glory of your imperial power, and one which might add something to the richness of your royal treasures. I was unwilling that while others brought you all kinds of rich gifts, my poor wit should remain dull and idle, and that the messenger even of so humble a person as myself should appear before you with empty hands. I have at last found out, under the guidance of the HOLY SPIRIT, a present which it befits my character to offer, and which it will not be unworthy of your wisdom to receive. Nothing can I offer more worthy of your great name, than the book which I now send, the Divine Scriptures, all bound up in one volume, carefully corrected by my own hand. It is the best gift which the devotion of my heart to your service, and my zeal for the increase of your glory, has enabled me to find." It is interesting to know that this same copy of the Bible is now possessed by the British Museum.

Although now withdrawn from all worldly business, Alcuin continued to write occasionally to his patron, by whom he was consulted in cases of emergency at Tours. In one of these letters he complains of some priests who neglected to promote preaching on the plea that it was the Bishop's duty and not theirs, on which he wrote to the English Bishops, urging them to the devout performance of their "trust," and not forgetting the end of preaching, he added, speaking of compunction, or a sense of sin, “It is a treasure in the heart better than a hoard of gold. Three things make up this sweet compunction: remembrance of sins past, consideration of our fleeting pilgrimage through this life of misery, and desire of our heavenly country. And when through prayer it finds utterance, sorrow flies away, and the HOLY GHOST keeps watch in the heart."

From his writings Alcuin, like another saint of our Church,* appears to have had a great delight in that part of God's service, which consists in praise. "As often as we are so employed," he says, 66 we imitate on earth the life of angels." Where the Psalmist has said, "Blessed are they that dwell in Thy house," that we may know in what that blessedness consists, he adds the words describing their employment, "They will be for ever praising Thee."

To join those angelical songs of praise he was, in God's good time, called. Alcuin died at Tours, on Whitsunday, the 19th of May, 804, and was buried in the Church of S. Martin. epitaph written by himself in Latin (of which the following is a

Bishop Ken.-"Wake, and lift up thyself, my heart,

And with the angels bear thy part,
Who all night long unwearied sing
High praise to the Eternal King."

An

translation), and engraved on a copper-plate, points out his resting

place to posterity.

"Here, gentle traveller, pause awhile to rest,

And note the sounds which issue from the tomb,
A heart like thine once throbbed within this breast,
Then learn from mine, thy destiny, thy doom.

"What now thou art, I was well known to fame.
What now I am, thou soon shalt be. Decay
Hath left no vestige of each futile aim
Save dust and ashes to the worms a prey.

"Then haste to guard thy soul's eternal weal,
Nor heed the frail integument that dies.

Why purchase realms? Behold, vain man! and feel
The narrow bounds in which wealth, glory, lies.

Why pant to deck thee in the purple robe
Which, low in dust, the hungry worm invades ?
That form shall sink, though born to rule the globe
As, 'neath the foul simoon, the flow'ret fades.

"Some kind return, oh! gentle reader, deign

To these sad strains. Breathe out GOD rest his soul.'
And may this tomb no impious hand profane,
Ere the last trumpet's peal through heaven shall roll.

:

"Then burst the sepulchre and spring to light!
The mighty Judge, His countless myriads hail!
Wisdom's fond lover, he erst Alcuin hight,

Now craves thy silent prayer, at vespers pale."

Under these verses, the monks inscribed the following words :"Here rest the blessed remains of Abbot Alcuin. He died in peace, fourteen days before the calends of June. All ye, who read this, pray for him, that the LORD may grant him everlasting rest."

FOLLOW AFTER CHARITY.

It is a bright morning in February; Sunday-Quinquagesima Sunday: little Alice Selford has just said the Collect for the day to her aunt, and is standing expectantly before her. They are quite alone in the room, though you may hear noisy laughter and voices not far off. At length Miss Mellanby spoke, "Alice, love, do you know what this word 'charity' means?" Alice was a quick as well as a thoughtful child beyond her years, of which she

*This, it will be scarcely necessary to observe, is given as we find it, not in approval of the doctrine.-ED.